The Chinese government announced on Friday, 29 April, that it will allow ‘some’ Indian students to return to China and continue their education, after more than two years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.
This comes after India suspended tourist visas issued to Chinese citizens, according to a statement by the sInternational Air Transport Association (IATA), an association of global airlines.
China had recently allowed students from countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, and Solomon Islands to return but not India.
Who is allowed? What is the process? Here's all you need to know.
Which students will be allowed to enter China?
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in a media briefing in Beijing that plans for the return of Indian students have already started their course.
He added are now only waiting for the Indian government to provide a list of names of students who plan to return to China, reported PTI.
What about new students who have enrolled in Chinese universities?
There is no clarity on this. Watch out this space for more.
I was studying in China before the pandemic. When will I know if I can return?
The return of the students will reportedly be facilitated on a need-assessed basis.
The embassy will be preparing a list of such students who need to return to their college, and universities immediately.
The list will then be shared with the Chinese for their consideration.
How do I inform the embassy?
The embassy has asked the Indian students to fill out a google form by 8 May.
What happens after that?
"Once the collated information is shared with the Chinese side, they would consult relevant Chinese departments to verify the list and indicate whether the identified students can travel to China to complete the course. The coordination process would be carried out in a time-bound manner," the embassy said in a statement.
How many students have been stranded in India?
Over 23,000 Indians, mostly medical students, are stuck in India following the strict visa and flight restrictions imposed in December 2019 by the Chinese government to contain the spread of the COVID-19 infection.
Indian students had made several appeals in order to return to China and re-join their classes but were forced to undertake online classes as Beijing cancelled all flights and visas for Indians.
Hundreds of families of Indians working in China too were also stuck back home due to the travel restrictions.
Zhao said,
"China attaches high importance to Indian students' concerns about returning to China for studies. We have shared with the Indian sides the procedures and experience of other countries' students returning to China".
He added that the Chinese embassy in India will facilitate the process and offer convenience to the students.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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